The former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, has found her name back in the trends, particularly on X, following the removal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from her office as Chief Justice, under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

The former Chief Justice’s removal has sparked debates among Ghanaian netizens about whether the procedures followed were lawful or amounted to a political witch-hunt.

Is Torkornoo's removal truly unfair? - Ayikoi Otoo weighs in

Netizens have cited the dismissal of Charlotte Osei and her two deputies by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to support their arguments about the legality of Torkornoo’s removal.

They argue that the same Article 146 procedures which were used in the removal of the former Chief Justice were also followed in Charlotte Osei’s case; asserting that the processes were fair and in accordance with the law.

Background

On June 28, 2018, the then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo removed Charlotte Osei from office as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission together with her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwah.

A statement signed by the then-information minister, Mustapha Hamid, indicated that the President acted on the recommendations of the Committee set up by the then-Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, in pursuant to Article 146 (4) of the Constitution.

Petitions filed against her, cited her in 27 allegations, some of which included incompetence, breach of procurement laws, lack of knowledge on corporate governance, corruption and compromise of the Commission’s independence.

Who becomes Ghana's next Chief Justice?

Read some of the posts below:

‘The stick that they used to hit Charlotte Osei…’

— nana aba (@thenanaaba) September 1, 2025

The charges against the former EC chair Mad Charlotte Osei could've been settle without her REMOVAL. #KARMA
Ghanaians actually voted for the removal of CJ Gertrude Torkornoo. pic.twitter.com/VycIycmLGo

— Peter Doe Jnr 🇱🇷✨ (@PeterDoeJnr1) September 2, 2025

When without no justifiable reason,Nana Addo and his Kyebi mafia gangsters wilfully removed madam Charlotte Osei,it was justified by every NPP supporter so what's changed?
Gertrude Torkonoo hit a ball hard against the wall, and the ball bounced back with twice the velocity. https://t.co/y1jWcRgK6p

— Daniel Edmund Nyamekye (@nyamekye_e2612) September 2, 2025

What is so special about Cheif Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and not special about Charlotte Osei and Lorrieta Lamptey...?

The NDC and President Mahama have no hands in removing Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, rather the President acted base on what the constitution requires him…

— PRINCE HENRY KOFORIDUA 🇬🇭💯 (@PrinceHenry_PHK) September 2, 2025

Someone said at the time Madam Charlotte Osei was removed as the EC chair, “posterity” wasn’t qualified to join the BENCH 😂

— Muhammad Yaasiin (@Hajjyass70) September 2, 2025

When Charlotte Osei was removed as EC Chair, NPP members rejoiced while NDC cried foul.

Today, with Chief Justice Torkornoo removed by the NDC government, the tables have turned — NPP is now lamenting their own sins, while NDC members and supporters celebrate.

Both noble women… pic.twitter.com/MzHN2Q7oVn

— FILSONS (@Garlingos) September 2, 2025

This is not an equalization of Charlotte Osei but a constitutional process executed at the highest level.

— Foster A. (@SniperJunior2) September 2, 2025

why NPP dey do like them no take some do Charlotte Osei? For all who draw the sword will die by the sword

— 👀👀 (@knico80381857) September 2, 2025

When JDM said he wanted to RESET the constitution, Afenyo and his side said, JDM was doing so to make HIM go for a 3rd term. Now the same OLD constitution has been used in accordance to LAW to remove the CJ, the same constitution that Akuffo Addo used to remove Charlotte Osei hmm

— Efya_Cutical 🦋 (@EfyaCritical) September 1, 2025

First, it was Pres Akuffo Addo removing Charlotte Osei from office on the basis of procurement breaches. Now it's Chief Justice being removed. Governance is about precedents. Once a bad one is set, it will continue for generations.

— Joseph Roosevelt😊 (@Prof_Allotey) September 1, 2025

What is good for the goose is also good for the gander….. Charlotte Osei wasn’t special……… the CJ isn’t special as well !

— Efya_Cutical 🦋 (@EfyaCritical) September 1, 2025